I spent great times and wonderful years in Poland, during my undergraduate studies. Even if I try to write my travel stories on many countries that I visited, Poland has a special place in my heart. You understand the reason, perhaps.

In this review, I am going to share an amazing city with you.
It’s Cracow, Poland’s Cultural Capital.

Kraków (Polish pronunciation: [ˈkrakuf]), also Cracow or Krakow (US English /ˈkrɑːkaʊ/, UK English /ˈkrækɒv/), is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River (Polish: Wisła) in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life and is one of Poland’s most important economic hubs.

I mentioned on Krakow many times on my other blogs. Now, it’s time to share it with you, here!

Cracow must be one of the first cities to visit in Poland. Especially in summer time, you would enjoy the city quite well.

In 2000, Kraków was named European Capital of Culture. The city will also host the next World Youth Day in 2016.

The Wielczka Salt Mine (Polish: Kopalnia soli Wieliczka)

Wielczka Salt Mine

The Wielczka Salt Mine (Polish: Kopalnia soli Wieliczka), located in the town of Wielczka in southern Poland, lies within the Kraków metropolitan area. Opened in the 13th century, the mine produced table salt continuously until 2007, as one of the world’s oldest salt mines in operation. Throughout, the Royal mine was run by the Żupy krakowskie Salt Mines company. You definitely go, join a tour in Wielczka Salt Mine.

The mine is one of Poland’s official national Historic Monuments (Pomniki historii), as designated in the first round, 16 September 1994. Its listing is maintained by the National Heritage Board of Poland.

The Wieliczka Salt Mine helped inspire the Labyrinth scenes in Bolesław Prus’ 1895 historical novel, Pharaoh. Prus combined his powerful 1878 impressions of the salt mine with the description of the ancient Egyptian Labyrinth, in Book II of Herodotus’ Histories, to produce the remarkable scenes found in chapters 56 and 63 of his novel.

Auschwitz Concentration Camp

Auschwitz Concentration Camp

Auschwitz concentration camp (German: Konzentrationslager Auschwitz, also KZ Auschwitz) was a network of German Nazi concentration camps and extermination camps built and operated by the Third Reich in Polish areas annexed by Nazi Germany during World War II. It consisted of Auschwitz I (the original camp), Auschwitz II–Birkenau (a combination concentration/extermination camp), Auschwitz III–Monowitz (a labor camp to staff an IG Farben factory), and 45 satellite camps.

If you find chance to reach to Cracow, then you definitely have to find a way to get the Auschwitz Concentration Camp which is not that far from the city.

Wawel Castle

Wawel Castle

The Gothic Wawel Castle in Kraków in Poland was built at the behest of Casimir III the Great, who reigned from 1333 to 1370, and consists of a number of structures situated around the central courtyard. The Wawel Royal Castle and the Wawel Hill constitute the most historically and culturally important site in Poland.

Besides I listed those above, you can find many museums, churches and synagogues in Cracow, to visit. For instance, there is a barrio of Jews very close to the city center. There are some Jewish libraries, museums, synagogues and cemeteries.

Cracow is also known as Poland’s heart. The city welcomes over 7 millions tourists every year. For the second time Krakow received the highest consumer rating on holiday review site Zoover and has been chosen as the best city break destination in Europe.

How to get to Cracow?

If you are already in Warsaw, you can get a train and travel to Cracow quickly. However, if you rent a car, it’s a better idea. Because when you want to visit some museums, public transportation will not help you enough.